School Support Worker

GUARDIAN SELECTION LIMITED; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational agency is seeking a compassionate School Support Worker in Dorchester. This full-time, permanent role involves supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in a specialist school. Candidates should have experience in care or education and a strong commitment to fostering a nurturing learning environment.

Benefits

Ongoing CPD opportunities

Access to specialist SEN training

Friendly, dedicated consultants

Qualifications

• Experience in education, residential care, or health and social care.
• Comfortable with personal care and physical intervention (training provided).
• Good communication skills and ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Supporting students with Autism, PMLD, SLD, ADHD, or SEMH needs.
• Assisting with personal care, including toileting and hygiene.
• Building trusting relationships with pupils to promote emotional wellbeing.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Patience

Education

Experience working with children or young people with additional needs

Job description

Job Title: School Support Worker
Location: Dorchester
Salary: £13.68 - £16.12 per hour (Depending on experience)
Start Date: Immediate
Contract Type: Full-time/Permanent

Are you a compassionate, resilient, and proactive individual with experience supporting children or young people with additional needs?

GSL Education are partnering with a specialist school in Dorchester to appoint a School Support Worker. This is a full-time, permanent opportunity with an immediate start, ideal for candidates from care, support, youth work, or SEN backgrounds.

About the Role

As a School Support Worker, you will play a vital role in creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Working closely with teaching staff and therapy teams, you will provide both classroom-based and personal care support to ensure every pupil can access learning in a safe and nurturing setting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supporting students with Autism, PMLD, SLD, ADHD, or SEMH needs in both educational and therapeutic sessions.
• Assisting with personal care, including toileting, feeding, and hygiene, where required.
• Building trusting relationships with pupils to promote their emotional wellbeing and engagement.
• Implementing EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) targets and behaviour support strategies.
• Collaborating with teachers, therapists, and external professionals to support individual learning journeys.
• Ensuring pupil safety and wellbeing at all times, including during transitions, playtime, and off-site activities.

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience working with children or young people with additional needs, in education, residential care, or health and social care.
• A calm, patient, and positive attitude with a strong sense of empathy and commitment.
• Comfortable with personal care and physical intervention when necessary (training will be provided).
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• A genuine interest in supporting the learning and development of students with complex needs.
• Have an updated CV (covering the last ten years barring any unexplained gaps) and an enhanced DBS registered to the update service (or be willing to apply for one).

Why Choose GSL Education?:

• Competitive hourly rates: £13.68 – £16.12, based on experience and qualifications.
• Ongoing CPD opportunities and access to specialist SEN training.
• A consistent, full-time position in a welcoming specialist setting.
• Friendly, dedicated consultants who offer personalised support.

If you're ready to make a real difference in the lives of young learners and support their growth in a specialist setting, we'd love to hear from you.

Please be advised that this role requires a strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection and that successful applicants must satisfy all background safer recruitment checks, including providing an enhanced DBS certificate registered on the update service or completing an application for a new check.

As an ethical, inclusive and independent recruitment agency, GSL Education are committed to providing quality teaching and support staff in schools across the UK.

For more information or to register your interest in the ‘School Support Worker’ role, please click ‘apply now’ to submit your full and up-to-date CV and one of our dedicated consultants will be in touch.